Sheriff: 3 Found Shot To Death In Chetek Home

CHETEK, Wis. (WCCO) -- A small western Wisconsin town is mourning the loss of three family members found dead inside their rural home.

The bodies were found shortly after 9 Thursday night after a woman from inside the house on 26th Street in Chetek called for help.

Barron County officials say the house will be released to the family after the autopsies of the three bodies found inside are complete. Until then, investigators will continue to search through the home for answers.

Barron County deputies were called to the ranch style home in the 600 block of 26th Street in Chetek a little after 9 Friday night.

According to deputies, a woman called 911 asking for help.

When deputies arrived they had to force their way inside where they found the bodies of three people.

Officials identify the deceased as 55-year-old Brenda Turner, 55-year-old John Hengst and 17-year-old Natalie Turner.

All three were shot and died inside the home.

What we do know is two of the bodies found inside were once husband and wife.

Court documents show that Brenda Turner filed for divorce from Hengst back in March of 2016.

Brenda's 17-year-old daughter, Natalie, was a senior at Chetek-Weyerhaeuser High School.

Investigators are waiting to learn the exact cause of death of the trio before releasing a scenario of what may have happened inside the home.

Family and friends took to social media to express their sorrow.

Law enforcement involved with the investigation say their thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of those affected by this tragedy.

WCCO's Reg Chapman spoke with Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald who said people in Chetek are in no danger.

He says he hopes to release more about what happened inside the home Monday.

One person told WCCO the entire community is in shock. He said he saw Natalie Turner at the gym just 20 minutes before she was found dead.